The Westbury on Trym Society
Your local residents’ conservation and amenity group
Planning
The Westbury on Trym Society planning group scrutinises planning applications relevant to the residents of Westbury (see planning activity). We accept referrals or letters of concern from anyone about any application and we respond based on our published planning policy.
We call on local planning expertise which is donated voluntarily by members. If you wish to become part of our planning group, please contact us.
Planning Group Working Framework
Context and Proposal
The WOTSOC Constitution includes a commitment to ‘further the maintenance, improvement and development of the environment and amenities of Westbury on Trym..’.
A core role in achieving this aim is to develop and express views on proposed planning and development related changes (object, support or modify), and ultimately to propose and champion changes on behalf of the Westbury on Trym community.
Planning and development is a complex subject and would be best addressed by continuing and further developing a focused working group.
Assumptions
• Westbury-on-Trym has a rich heritage, an environment, and amenities which are worth preserving or developing.
• A body such as WOTSOC can have more impact on Planning related issues than individuals, and has the potential to be a community voice in commenting on Planning proposals and Policy.
• The Society should take a balanced view of proposed changes and recognise that the built environment has always been subject to change which can be beneficial and desirable.
• There is a Government driven desire to move local Planning processes towards a more proactive approach involving dialogue between Developers and the Communities affected before formal Planning Consent is sought. There is a role for bodies such as the Society to become recognised Community representatives.
Objectives and Role
Reactive (short term and ongoing):
[a] Monitor and comment on Planning Applications which affect the WOT Community within the scope and boundaries defined below. This includes expressions of support, and suggestions for beneficial changes as well as objections.
[b] Monitor approved Planning Applications (of significance as in [a] above) for compliance with conditions of consent, and report findings to Planning Enforcement if necessary.
[c] Guidance to individuals (limited and without prejudice) who are affected by proposed developments which do not have significant Community impact, on a ‘by exception’ basis as approved by the WOTSOC Committee.
Proactive (long term):
[d] Develop a role as a recognised Community representative body in pre-application dialogue with Developers and Policy development with BCC. Develop links with relevant BCC Departments, local Councillors etc to support this role.
[e] Identify, develop and promote changes on behalf of Westbury Community.
WOTSOC Planning proposal V2
Scope
Impact: Any proposed change to, or development of structures, facilities, infrastructure or Policy of a scale or nature which could have significant impact on appearance, amenity value, commercial viability, environment or historical value as might be viewed by the Community.
Boundaries:
[a] There will tend to be a focus on the Conservation area but the scope should be planning related proposals within the Westbury-on-Trym boundary as defined in the Bristol Local Plan.
[b] Planning related issues in areas outside but adjacent to the WOT boundary which could have a material impact on the heritage, environment, amenities or commercial viability of WOT.
[c] Bristol City Council central Planning proposals and Policy changes which could have a material impact on the heritage, environment, amenities or commercial viability of WOT.
Resources and Process:
Working group (not sub-committee) reporting to the WOTSOC Committee, meeting 3 monthly and as needed, but relying primarily on networking and agreed roles.
Skills required:
Group members or co-operating individuals to cover,
- interpretation of planning regulations, policy and practice
- local history
- green spaces, environment and ecology
- sustainability
- communications
Process:
- Simple process or workflow to be established, including ‘lessons learned’.
- WOTSOC Committee approved Policy to be established (defined limits of WOTSOC involvement, guidance on ‘significance’, degree of Working Group autonomy and need for Committee approval etc – need to recognise potential for WOTSOC liability if found to be misrepresenting membership or community).
- Develop planning response guidelines (for Working Group members only), including interpretation of the Bristol City Local Plan, to ensure a consistent response, facilitate sharing of work and minimise effort.